Bury stand in the way of South’s treble charge

Missing their star batsmen Mike Filson and Laurence Newman, South were soon on the back foot as the tricky spin of Stephen Alweis (4-32) claimed some early scalps.

The father-and-son combination of Jonny and Huddy Lieberman accelerated the scoring with a quickfire 50 partnership. Lieberman senior was out for 29 and, shortly afterwards, Huddy went for 31, run out off a superb direct hit by Wayne Doyle. Price hit the winning runs off his opposite number, Ray Tammam.

Bury eased past holders Sedgley by seven wickets with 17 overs to spare. Last season's winners were left red-faced when a strong-looking batting line-up was skittled out for 66. Josh Rose ripped out the top order with an excellent spell of left-arm bowling to finish with 4-23 off six overs.

Needing less than two an over, Bury relaxed and went out full of confidence that they could reach their first final in four years. Andrew Niman and David First started steadily, putting on 25 for the first wicket. However, Rabinowits struck twice in three balls to give Sedgley renewed hope. That left birthday boy Zevi Saunders to sprint to the wicket and calmly see Bury through to the finish. The final flourish came from Mark Blackston with an unbeaten 20 in as many balls sparking jubilant scenes.

The final will be played at Cheadle on September 14.